Will you past the test?

Testing occurs on a regular basis in the battle for your soul and today, I was given another test.  I had an opportunity to obtain an item for “free” that I really wanted and was a desire in my soul.  At first glance, I was excited about the “gift” from God.  I even had loved ones tell me it was a gift.  So, I made plans to go get the item.  But a problem arose.  I began having an uneasiness in my soul about the item.  So, I asked the Holy Spirit specifically to let me know if it was okay to obtain this item (valued at about $2,000) at no charge.  He began to whisper truth into my spirit.  I tried a few more times to “rationalize” the find as God and I talked back and forth.  But the uneasiness persisted and suddenly, my spirit was settled.  I knew, just like a teenager arguing with a parent about why she should have something (knowing that it was wrong, but wanting permission from her parent to do it anyway).  She suddenly realizes that her parent was right.

The peace of God flooded my soul.

Then, I saw it clear as day.  The enemy was trying to rob me of my future destiny by getting me to come into agreement with him, thereby opening my soul up to demonic spirits.  By my own permission, I would have allowed these spirits to mess with my blessings that God has in place for me.  I quickly repented and thanked God for His guidance.  He reminded me that I must be tested and tried and come through the test in order to receive promotion in the Kingdom.  Just like Jesus in the wilderness, Satan made the temptation seem right, even using Scripture.  But Jesus rebuked him and defeated him at his own game.  I did the same thing today.

It’s difficult to explain the joy in my spirit as I realized that I had passed a test which I had fallen victim to several times in the past.  What test?  Trying to obtain something that God says is good through methods that are not or before the timing and release of God to possess the item.  Pastor Asa Dockery just preached a message on January 29, 2012 about this very subject, called “After the Fast Has Ended” and today, I passed the test.

Thank you, Father, for perfecting me.